ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — Evacuations remain underway after a fire broke out at a Rockdale County chemical plant.

The sheriff’s office says they’ve evacuated the area near Biolab on Old Covington Highway. Local emergency management officials say Georgia emergency management officials reported about 17,000 people have been required.

Others nearby, including Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, are being told to shelter in place for the time being.

Interstate 20 is blocked off in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road.

It’s still unclear exactly what chemical is burning.

All Rockdale County residents have been ordered to shelter in place until midnight.

It all started around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when a sprinkler system malfunctioned, which seems to have mixed with a chemical creating a plume. You can see the smoke billowing miles into the sky, changing colors throughout the day from black, white, red and now to a yellowish hue seen by Channel 2′s Michael Doudna on Sunday evening.

Crews got the fire under control on Sunday morning, but it reignited around 12:15 p.m.

Officials say the fire has since been put out, but the building itself has collapsed.

The continuing smoke comes from the water and chemicals creating a reaction.

Authorities are asking people in the direct path of the smoke to evacuate while having others shelter in place in case the wind shifts.

Firefighters told Channel 2 Action News that they are trying to get that water-reactive chemical out so they can start fighting the fire.

They are unfortunately familiar with issues at this plant. Channel 2 Action News has found at least two previous incidents that have caused evacuations and/or road closures from the plant in the past 20 years.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Right now, officials are stressing that folks should take this seriously.

“As the plume starts out, it could become very dangerous, and toxic. So, until we get those readings from EPA and EPD, we don’t know what those plumes consist of, so we want to keep everyone safe and away from it as much as possible,” Rockdale County Emergency Management Director Sharon Webb said.

In a 2020 incident at the same location, the problem was a chemical that is often used to create swimming pool cleaning products that can create fumes when exposed to water.

We are working to see if it is the same issue this time.

TRENDING STORIES:

Former President Donald Trump makes an appearance at Georgia-Alabama game

‘I’m angry’; Smyrna police chief says after two of his officers were shot overnight

VIDEO: Man allegedly tries to set car on fire with 2 kids inside, leads GA authorities on chase

Biolab released a statement that read,

“We are actively responding to an occurrence at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. Our employees are accounted for with no injuries reported. Our team is on the scene, working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation. As always, the safety of our community remains our top priority.”

The Rockdale County District Attorney says that her office and the Rockdale County Courthouse will be closed on Monday because of the fire.

Officials with the Environmental Protection Agency are at the site.

The sheriff’s office set up several evacuation sites: JP Carr Gym at 90 Hardin St SW, Scout Camp at 218 Scout Road in Covington and Wolverine Gym at 8134 Geiger Street in Covington.

Roads in the area have been closed and drivers are asked to avoid the area and follow detour signs.

Roads closed include:

Rockdale Industrial

Old Covington to Sigman Rd.

Covington to 2nd St.

Lester Rd. to Sigman Rd.

Farmer Rd. from Sigman Rd. to Rockdale Industrial

Rockbridge from Sigman Rd. to Main St.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

Man said he was ‘devastated’ after hitting cement prongs along I-285 causing $2,000 in damage

©2024 Cox Media Group